The light bulb buzzed and spat. Water was dripping down the chord and swirling in a fine spray from the tiny barred window.

Keith sat huddled on a freezing metal bed, eyes locked into the gloom. His throat hummed as he breathed, rocking gently on his lice-ridden mattress.

He wasn’t alone. Keith walked hand in hand with Andrew over the burning pale sands of the beach. Their feet brushed through the dunes and grasses, their laughter rolled into the sky. Hearts raced as lips blessed each other.

Keith was smiling in the darkness.

In his dreams he was never alone.

(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Ludovic Gauthier via Unsplash.

Another title suggested by Aliki Chapple – mother, activist, actor and proud Grecian. You can follow her and her work over on Twitter @amaenad

I’m looking for new one word story titles all the time! Tell me yours in the comments section or tweet them to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.

Goosebumps were itching on Eddie’s skin as he looked down into the pool 33 feet below. His head snapped back and he squeezed his eyes tight, a sharp breath hissing between his lips as his toes curled over the edge of the board.

Today’s story was suggested by the staff of Halo Literary Magazine – a wonderful magazine of short fiction by female writers. Issue 1 is due to go to press very soon – read more about it at http://halolitmag.co.uk/ and tweet them @HaloLitMag.

Suggest your one word title and I’ll write a story about it: it’s easy. Just pop the word in the comments or tweet it to me @timaustin2k with the word and the hashtag #onewordonestory.

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